Mon, Oct 28, 2024
Necessity Of Pilot Buy-In Seen As Crucial
The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative is a partnership among industry and government leaders committed to identifying and promoting safe and reliable unleaded fuel for piston-engine aircraft that is viable throughout the aviation supply chain by 2030.
A recent update from EAGLE is a source of optimism for all of us who want to see our industry thrive not just in general but in a way that demonstrates our willingness to be good neighbors within our communities nationwide. One aspect of that mindset is that the industry has long recognized the need to eliminate lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft.
Currently there are three promising candidate unleaded fuels being evaluated for safety and compatibility with the fleet. General Aviation Modification’s (GAMI) G100UL and Swift Fuels’ 100R are progressing through the STC process. GAMI already received in 2022 a broad Approved Model List (AML) STC for its fuel for piston engines and airplanes. Swift recently received an STC from the FAA for use of its 100R fuel in Cessna 172 R and S models powered by Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines with additional engines and airframes being evaluated in the months ahead.
LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s UL100E is about 25% of the way through testing for critical materials compatibility, full-scale engine detonation, and performance. This fuel is being evaluated under a second pathway available for approval – the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative.
In addition to testing for compatibility and performance, EAGLE has recognized that what is also needed for success is buy-in from pilots and other stakeholders that the supply of such fuels is reliable. Reliable in the sense that they will not void manufacturers’ warranties or cause damage to aircraft parts like paint, electronics, engine components, or fuel systems. And reliable in the sense that aircraft owners and pilots need assurance that fuels will be readily available at any time, and at all airports that currently have 100LL available.
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